Autoblog

Ford has already released an official image of the 2010 Fusion's new front end, as well as unveiled the heavily revised engine lineup for its mid-size sedan that now includes a new 2.5L I4, revised 3.0L Flex-Fuel V6, new 3.5L V6 and hybrid powertrain good for 38 mpg in the city. Reactions are split to the Fusion's new face, but we haven't seen official shots from any other angle and certainly have yet to view full-motion video of the final version.

Sharp-eyed Autoblog reader Jamieson, however, caught a Fusion prototype on the road this weekend and had the sense to whip out a recording device. After the jump you'll find the short video of Jamieson passing the Fusion prototype that shows the sedan's rear end and profile nicely, as well as the already seen front fascia. He also took pics, which we've added to our gallery of 2010 Ford Fusion spy shots below.

Over on AutoblogGreen, our man Sam has published a thorough breakdown of all the new powertrains announced for the 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan. There's a new 2.5L four-cylinder with more power, a revised 3.0L V6 and Ford is making its 3.5L V6 available in these mid-size sedans for the first time, as well. But the most impressive may be the latest revision of Ford's hybrid powertrain that will debut in the Fusion Hybrid and Milan Hybrid next year.

Based on the same system in the Ford Escape Hybrid and Mercury Mariner Hybrid, the latest version is smaller, lighter, more powerful and less expensive to produce. While it still employs nickel-metal hydride batteries, the number of cells has been reduced but the power output remains the same. The battery pack is now 30 percent smaller in volume than the Escape Hybrid's pack and weighs 23 percent less, and this one doesn't need its own AC system to stay cool. The main numbers that everyone wants to know is MPG. Ford expects its new hybrid sedans to achieve 38 mpg in the city, which is 5 mpg better than its most obvious competitor, the Toyota Camry Hybrid. Click here to read Sam's explanation of what Ford did to improve its hybrid powertrain so much.

[Source: AutoblogGreen]

We love mid-size sedans if for no other reason than buyers benefit from the incredibly high level of competition between each player in the segment, and Ford's just-revealed 2010 Fusion appears ready to compete. We only have one image, but it shows the Fusion's new face with an even bigger three-bar grille, nicely contoured hood, angry-eye headlights and a sharply redesigned lower bumper. There's also a new engine lineup with three mills to choose from. The first is an all-new Duratec 2.5L four-cylinder with 174 hp and 172 lb-ft of torque (up 14 hp/16 lb-ft from prior 2.3L). The second is a reworked version of the current 3.0L V6 with 19 more horsepower for a total of 240 hp and 228 lb-ft of torque. And finally Ford will be offering the Fusion with its new 3.5L V6 for 2010, which will make a class competitive 263 hp and 249 lb-ft of torque. The best part? All three engines will be paired with Ford's 6F35 six-speed automatic transmission.

Ford hasn't revealed fuel economy numbers yet, but says the four-cylinder's fuel economy will go up a full 10% and the sixes between 4-6% thanks in large part to the new tranny. This will also be the year Ford introduces the Fusion Hybrid and Mercury Milan Hybrid, which will feature the previously announced SmartGauge and can travel up to 47 mph in all-electric mode with a range of more than 700 miles. Unfortunately, it appears that the 2010 Fusion won't be available with any turbocharged, direct-inject EcoBoost powertrains, but the new engines and transmission, along with the nose job, are a big step forward for Ford's already competitive Fusion.

[Source: Ford]

Ford sponsored the Toronto Raptors back in 2006, and one of the promotional ties in the deal was a special Ford Fusion Raptors Edition (here is the promo video). The car is replete with a magical selection of colors and images on the outside, and basketball-themed colors and textures inside. Check out that b-ball steering wheel, and those seats, and the TV in the trunk that would allow you to both ruin your eyes and watch games at a truly awful angle. If nothing else, we're impressed that it took two and a half years to show up on the used car sales floor. Less surprising is the fact that it's only done 5,900 kilometers in that time. It can be all yours for $25,000 Canadian... or you can just check out the high res pictures below. Thanks for the tip, Lance!


[Source: Autotrader Canada]

Click above for high-res gallery of 2010 Ford Fusion spy shots

Our spy photographers have caught the 2010 Ford Fusion wearing nothing but an ugly paint job, which means we get a crystal clear view at what Ford has in store for its midsize sedan. While things between the wheel wells appear to carryover, the front end is getting big a big makeover. The Fusion's new face features a larger three-bar chrome grille and a complete re-sculpting of its lower air intake. Gone are the two chrome bars in the lower grille and the fog lights that flanked them. In their place is a more traditional central lower air intake and new, larger foglamps the mimic the shape of the new headlights. The Fusion's new mug definitely appears more aggressive than the non-threatening visage worn by the current model, and we like it. The sedan's rear taillights are also being changed, though they're covered too well in these spy shots to see what those changes are.

The Fusion is a solid seller for Ford, which no doubt hopes the sedan will grow in popularity even more with a new front clip. We can't wait to see this thing badged as the Fusion GT with a 3.5L EcoBoost V6 under its new hood. Check out all the new spy shots in our gallery below and let us know what you think of the partial redesign in the comments.


[Source: KGP Photography]

Click above for high-res gallery of 2010 Ford Fusion spy shots

It's so great watching TV now on a giant flat screen that hangs from my living room wall that I can't imagine how we survived with 27-inch tube TVs just a few short years ago. Perhaps the same will be said about the 2010 Ford Fusion, the most recent spy shots of which show its interior completely uncovered and a truly giant touch screen positioned dead center in the center stack. We thought the touch screen in the Jaguar XF and new Lincoln MKS were big (both Ford products, btw), but this puts them to shame. Other interior changes are minor but important as Ford has apparently chosen to leave the overall dash design the same and focused instead on stuffing the Fusion with cool high-tech content. There are new gauges and new vents directly above the big flat screen, while the analog clock has been ditched entirely. All HVAC controls have now been moved below the screen and should be easy to adjust with one hand on the shifter. But seriously, isn't that a HUGE screen to be in a moderately priced family sedan. Considering the overwhelming success Ford has had selling the Focus by touting its high-tech superiority courtesy of SYNC, we imagine its strategy for the Fusion is to go one step further and offer customers a touchscreen they can't get anywhere else. Here's hoping it's not a $2,500 option. Click the gallery below for another angle and more spy shots of the 2010 Ford Fusion.

UPDATE: Shunk believes the screen to be the 8.5-inch unit that will be used on the 2009 Ford F-150, which the company has already said will be its range-topping nav screen. But since the interior of the Fusion is much smaller than Ford's full-size truck, the screen appears to be much bigger.


[Source: KGP Photography]

Click above for high-res gallery for redesigned Ford Fusion spy shots

We've known for some time that the Ford Fusion was due for a mid-cycle refreshening soon, but new spy shots from KGP Photography reveal that more might be in store for Ford's successful mid-size family sedan. Previous spy shots have shown prototype Fusions wearing impenetrable front bras that completely obscured any design changes, but these new pics reveal what's been hiding underneath. This prototype features the current car's hood and "squircle" headlights, but sports a different grille style and front bumper. The Fusion's trademark three-bar grille looks like it will become more expressive in the next version, with the top bar bowed down slightly in the middle like a smile. We imagine the production version will have all three bars bowed to some degree, giving the Ford sedan a distinctly happy and swooped back face. The front bumper, meanwhile, reveals the shape of a new lower intake and two air intakes on each side that would house fog lamps. The most telling bit, however, is a character line we haven't seen before that appears to bend down from the front fender. This suggests that the entire front clip of the next Fusion will be all new, rather than just the mild refreshening we were expecting. Consider us intrigued and more than a bit curious at what the next Fusion, which may be a 2010 or 2011 model, will look like.


[Source: KGP Photography]

During a meeting with Ford dealers last week, it was revealed that the 2009 Fusion would benefit from the same 170 hp, 2.5-liter four-cylinder found in the new Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner. The upgraded mill, which boasts an extra 10 hp over the outgoing engine and variable valve timing, will be mated to Ford's six-speed automatic transmission and should return a few miles-per-gallon more than its predecessor. There's also talk that the new Fusion could get an upgraded version of the 3.0-liter V6, along with a new front fascia and a revised interior. Ford spokesperson, Jim Cain, wouldn't confirm or deny the planned upgrades, but it's likely we'll get a formal announcement in the next few months before the revamped Fusion goes on sale later this year.

[Source: Detroit News]

Click above to watch Ford's new commercial for Canada

Ford would like to think that it's a car company for the people, and the Blue Oval's latest TV commercial for Canada features zero cars. What the ad does show is a group of men and women dressed in Ford-issue blue going Cirque Du Soleil to form the silhouette of a Fusion and an Edge. The vehicles are very recognizable too, even though the 18 or so hominids use very minimal props. It's hard to say whether the ad is neat or creepy, so we'll let you decide in the comments after watching the 30-second clip after the jump. Thanks for the tip, Darryl!

[Source: YouTube]

Ford's been cranking out hybrid CUVs on the CD2 platform for four years now, and with over 40,000 produced, it's gotten to be old hat. Since it started in 2004, Ford's managed to make the Escape, Mercury Mariner and Mazda Tribute 30-percent cheaper to build. That cost reduction, coupled with the pending introduction of the hybrid Fusion and Milan platform-mates, will allow Ford's hybrid program to actually turn a profit for the first time in 2008. The Mariner and Escape hybrids find about 21,000 owners per year, and adding the hardware to the sedans could spur sales of Ford's hybrid system, further reducing costs. We're excited to try out the sedans with the hybrid system and the potential for a winner is there if Ford manages to deliver the goods at an attractive price.

[Source: Automotive News, sub. req'd]